THE GOAL OF THE SPIRIT IS TO MAKE US like Jesus- pure
and holy. The Spirit didn’t come to make us happy. He didn’t come to make us rich. He didn’t come to make us healthy. He didn’t come to make us nut jobs and run around in chaos. He came to make us HOLY. Now, these things may be a by-product of the Spirit- a rich, happy, healthy, full and charismatic life; but not in the sense of the world’s definitions.
The Spirit gives birth to spiritual things. He opens our eyes to the riches of God’s Word. He convicts us of our sin and unrighteousness. The Spirit comforts and teaches. The Spirit is constantly driving us to the cross so I can be less of me, and more of Christ.
“Beloved, we are now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed what we shall be, but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope on Him cleanses (purifies) himself just as He is pure” 1 John 3:2-3
THEREFORE, as God’s children, we are under an obligation to put to death our old man (the old sinful nature) and put on the new man in Christ. If your hope is really in Christ, then you are constantly allowing the Spirit to purify you. If you say that you have nothing to work on, then you are a liar. If you continue to live in your sin, you do not know Him.
If you do not love the brethren, you are not of God. We are in the process of being purified, and it’s sometimes quite painful. I want to hold on to things that the Spirit deems impure. But because I am His child, I must be purified and made holy. There’s no way around the cross- we must go THROUGH it.
“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.””
I Peter 1:13-16
For all the above mentioned reasons I get frustrated with people who come in to the church and say, “You are stifling the Spirit” and it’s always because you won’t let them do what they want to do. “Stifling the Spirit” to them means not allowing them to be chaotic and disorderly and because the Spirit is not being manifested in the way they want. We don’t let people run around crazy-like and do what they want “in the Spirit”. But it’s not in accordance with the Spirit, but in accordance with their flesh.
Paul tells us, “let everything be done decently and in order”. In our church, we pray, we prophesy, we speak in tongues, we sing, we dance, we worship, we lay hands on the sick and they recover and we preach the Word. People are saved, redeemed, delivered, healed, made new, forgiven, and made holy. We preach repentance from sin, die to self and live for Christ. Is this not of the Holy Spirit?
How come when people say you’re stifling the Spirit, it’s never in reference to preaching the Word? I had a an older retired pastor tell me that our church has done more for the kingdom than their ministry ever did because we see so many more salvations. It’s not a comparison, but I appreciate this minister’s words of encouragement.
I will say it again, if you are not being made holy— in words, actions, deeds and yes, even in your clothing; I question if you even have the Holy Spirit? Stop complaining so much about a charismatic manifestation of the Spirit in your church and start examining your life for a manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
